Back when I was in college in Madison, WI one of the local news stations was really terrible. Part of it was the way they did the anchors makeup (both of them looked like plastic) but their show was always having these sorts of technical issues.

The best was one time where it came back to them from commercial break when they obviously were not expecting it. It sat there for an eternity with them just staring ahead (alright, it was probably about 15 seconds but if felt like forever). Then, all of the sudden, they both jumped when the realization set it that they were on and they opened their mouths to talk...and it went back to commercial break before they could say anything.

I'm trying to figure out why the reporterette didn't say anything to the camera guy as she stared at it going over. I'm also trying desperately to figure out why the camera guy had it set up to dutch angle. It was a really smooth fall, and if you watch it, it's spinning on an anchor point, not falling over as if the tripod fell. But tripod heads don't go sideways like that unless he had it set for a dutch or didn't have it screwed down to the bowl well enough.

I'm trying to figure out why the reporterette didn't say anything to the camera guy as she stared at it going over. I'm also trying desperately to figure out why the camera guy had it set up to dutch angle. It was a really smooth fall, and if you watch it, it's spinning on an anchor point, not falling over as if the tripod fell. But tripod heads don't go sideways like that unless he had it set for a dutch or didn't have it screwed down to the bowl well enough.

Cameraman? These small stations sent reporters out solo with camera equipment. I remember a reporter coming to my former workplace and needing the lens attached to her camera. Same station didn't even acknowledge my resume when I applied for a technical position months before.

The camera didn't "fall over". That was when the cameraman took it off his shoulder when it became obvious to him, and the reporter, that they weren't going live anytime soon, hence the lack of reaction when the reporter saw the camera drop. I know that because I've seen that same shot from inside the control room, though typically when I saw it it was after a live shot, and not during.

It's funny to watch video of that kind of colossal catastrophe after that fact, but it sucks royally when you're in the middle of it.

EddieMoscone:The camera didn't "fall over". That was when the cameraman took it off his shoulder when it became obvious to him, and the reporter, that they weren't going live anytime soon, hence the lack of reaction when the reporter saw the camera drop. I know that because I've seen that same shot from inside the control room, though typically when I saw it it was after a live shot, and not during.

It's funny to watch video of that kind of colossal catastrophe after that fact, but it sucks royally when you're in the middle of it.

It's funny we it's not happening to you on air. Former MCO / VTR monkey for a crappy Canadian station...but I'm feeling MUCH better now